Ieuan Davies, a confident fighter from Wrexham, is setting his sights on joining the UFC. With a strong start to his professional mixed martial arts career, he has every reason to be optimistic.
The 30-year-old made a statement in June by capturing the Cage Warriors lightweight title in impressive fashion, defeating Omiel Brown in just 61 seconds with a rear naked choke. This marked the sixth submission win in Davies’ career—an accomplishment he hopes caught the attention of UFC president Dana White.
“I truly believe it will happen,” Davies told BBC Sport Wales. “Given our record, I don’t think the UFC can ignore us.”
Looking at former Cage Warriors lightweight champions like Conor McGregor and Mason Jones, both of whom made the jump to the UFC, Davies believes he is on the right track. Boasting a flawless 8-0 record, he aims to become the eighth Welsh fighter to secure a UFC contract.
“If we have to keep fighting, then that’s what we’ll do until we get there, but I firmly believe we’ll compete and fight in the UFC,” he said. Apart from a single fight that went the distance against Michael Pagani, Davies has averaged just 190 seconds per contest in Cage Warriors. While his finishes have often shown off his grappling skills, Davies insists he’s a complete mixed martial artist.
“People often think I’m just a grappler because many of my fights have played out that way,” he explained. “But the finishes present themselves, so I take them. I do believe I’m an exceptional grappler, but what you’ve seen isn’t the full picture of me yet.”
Davies’ decision to leave his career as a paratrooper in the British Army now seems justified after winning the Championship belt. “At the time, many were worried, thinking I was leaving a secure career behind,” he said. “I loved being in the Parachute Regiment, but I didn’t want to look back on life with regrets. I decided to take a leap and see what happens.”
Last year was tough, with canceled fights and injuries pushing Davies to consider returning to the military. “There were doubts,” he admitted. “But now I look back and know it was worth it—everything is falling into place.”
Originally from Wrexham, Davies moved to Wigan to train under MMA veteran Tom Blackledge at the Fighter Blueprint Academy. The daily commute between Wrexham, Chester, Liverpool, and Wigan became too much for him and his family, prompting the relocation.
“This gym feels like home, but I’ve always got the Welsh spirit in me,” Davies said proudly. “I’m a proud Welshman and always represent that flag. One of my big goals is to inspire people back in Wrexham.”
Davies dreams of seeing pubs in his hometown watching his fights on TV, erupting with celebration as he wins. “I’m just a kid from a small town—well, a city now—with big dreams. I’m going to keep pushing towards where I’m meant to be,” he declared.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for MMA fans because Davies’ rise showcases the growing talent in Wales and the potential future stars of the UFC. His blend of skill, confidence, and local pride could inspire a new generation of fighters and bring more attention to the sport in the UK.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
